IT’S a Roman artefact like nothing ever seen before.

Children completed a LEGO version of a Roman mosaic at Winchester Discovery Centre yesterday (May 30).

It was part of the LEGOMania Trail run by museum services throughout the county, with children creating individual squares of 256 LEGO pieces, during six workshops throughout the day.

It is based on a mosaic found in Sparsholt that resides in the City Museum, and Sparsholt Primary School pupils started off construction two weeks ago.

Altogether there are 256 squares, totalling more than 65,000 pieces.

Robin Iles, education officer at Winchester City Council museum service, said: “This is a way of reaching out to people and children who might not normally go to museums but who are fans of things like LEGO. We hope once they see what we have to offer they will like what they see and become new visitors.”

Families came from all over Hampshire to take part and some from even further afield.

Gill Dean came from Brighton with children Ellen, six, Keir, five and Florrie, two, and said: “We are on holiday but saw this and were really keen to come along. This type of thing makes such a difference to kids; it helps them concentrate and gives them a sense of achievement.”

Ellen added: “This was really awesome!”

The completed model will go on display at Butser Ancient Farm at Chalton, near Petersfield, hung in a replica room from a Roman building.